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The look he gives me could strip me bare without a single touch. Something unrestrained flashes behind his eyes. It’s raw and wanting. “You’re one smart remark away from finding out what my patience actually costs.”

I lean in until there’s barely an inch of air between us. “I’m so. Fucking. Scared.” I punctuate each word with an innocent kiss—one on his chin, the corner of his mouth, the tip of his nose—deliberate, defiant. “Stop talking about it and collect.”

“Careful, sweetheart. I’m not sure you’ll like how I react when you decide to be bratty.” His hands fist in the fabric at my collar, and before I can respond, there’s a sharp tear, buttons scattering, cotton splitting open in his grip. “But it’s a little too late for reconsidering.”

He rises in one fluid motion, hands firm beneath my arms, hauling me up with him. Two long strides and the world tilts. The bed catches me, the mattress bowing under my weight as I land and bounce once, breathless.

He pauses at the edge of the bed. His hands are on my thighs, thumbs tracing idle circles that feel anything but patient.

“I need you to draw a line in the sand for me, Lila,” he says. “I need to know your boundaries, because I have none when it comes to you. If you knew the things I’ve imagined doing to you, you’d never look at me the same.”

I’ve already decided he could do whatever he wanted to me and I’d let him. Not because I’m careless, but because I know he won’t ask for more than I can give. There’s a lot I haven’t experienced yet, and with him, the thought doesn’t just excite me, it nearly makes me pant.

“I want so much with you Theo. I can’t think of a single thing I don’t,” I manage, eyes stinging from the sheer magnitude of it all. “I trust you.”

His jaw flexes, eyes never leaving mine. “Protection?”

“I have an IUD. Haven’t been with anyone else in… a while.” Years.

He releases a breath, seemingly steeling himself for what he’s about to say next. “The day I met you, I stopped wanting anyone else.”

Every place his gaze lingers triggers a physiological response. My heart rate is utterly erratic.

I’m suddenly very grateful I wore a matching set with a decent push-up bra today.

And suddenly very aware Theo doesn’t intend for me to keep it on for much longer at all.

He makes quick work of the rest of my clothes, tugging away what’s left between us until there’s nothing but my bare skin.

He climbs in behind me on the bed and pulls me with him as he situates his big body, my back fitting against his front as he settles against the headboard. His legs frame mine. He’s still fully clothed and I feel so on display.

I don’t have much time to think about it when I realize what it is he has in mind.

I’d forgotten all about my vibrator laying next to us until he picks it up.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve thought about this exact scenario.” His free hand trails up the inside of my thigh, over my ribs, then across my collar bone—pausing there, steady and possessive, holding me firmly against him. “I’ve wanted this—wanted you—for so damn long.”

His palm moves to my breast, and the way he grips me is so sure, so fucking certain, it short-circuits every coherent thought I had queued up.

He nudges my legs to spread me wider for him, and runs my vibrator up the inside of my thigh, tickling my sensitive skin. “May I?”

I almost laugh out loud at the absurdity of him asking. Yes, you fucking may. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.

I just nod in response.

He moves his hand back, already halfway back to my knee and nowhere near where I really want him. “Say it out loud, Lila.”

“Fine. Yes, Theo. I consent being touched by you, fucked by you, literally whatever you want to do to me, you can. Want me to notarize it while we’re at it?”

He grinds his cock against my spine, almost like he can’t help himself.

“Such a smart ass.” Instead of doing what I want, he presses the vibrator into my palm, his hand closing over mine guiding my fingers to curl around it as if to remind me who’s really in charge here. “If you want to come, you’re going to have to do it yourself.”

I should have expected that, but I’m not shy. If he wants to know how I make myself come, I’m more than happy to show him.

I bring both our hands to my center and rub the tip of the vibrator along my slit, spreading my wetness over every inch. When I finally push it inside me, I make sure to put it in far enough that the backs of his fingers graze my clit.

When he feels how wet I am for him, he groans, then sucks at the tender spot beneath my ear hard enough to leave a mark there.